The 9 Best Soccer Shooting Drills for Individual or Partner Training
You’ve created the perfect scoring opportunity, got past two defenders, and now you’re one-on-one with the goalkeeper. You pull your foot back and… send the ball way over the crossbar. Does this sound familiar?
If you’re tired of missing those game-changing shots when your team needs them the most, you’re not alone. Shooting a soccer ball properly requires more than just the right shooting technique; it demands the ability to perform the skill under pressure when defenders are closing down and scoring opportunities vanish in seconds.
Shooting a soccer ball is one of the most important skills of the game, along with ball control, first touch, dribbling, passing, defending, decision making, composure, awareness, and creativity, which all players must work on improving, no matter their position or playing level. Shooting, combined with all of the skills above, is what helps players improve their talent and become better players, but it is also important to improve their passion, discipline, game IQ, mindset, athleticism, fitness, and recovery.
Throughout my experience playing, training players, and hosting soccer leagues, I’ve noticed that the most successful goal scorers all share one common trait: they can see the scoring opportunities before they fully develop and understand how to create space or position themselves to capitalize on them instantly. That is why in this guide, I am going over 9 of the best soccer shooting drills to help you get more shots on target and score more goals.
To perform the drills on this list in the most efficient way, it will be important to have some of the following training gear and accessories:
- Rebounder – To have a training partner that doesn’t get tired
- Soccer balls – Have a few to spend less time shagging balls
- Soccer ball bags – Easy way to carry your soccer balls
- Soccer Cleats – Wear the right cleats based on your playing surface
- Portable soccer goal – Important to work on scoring goals
What are the Best Soccer Shooting Drills?
These 9 soccer shooting drills focus on the scenarios where most goals are scored during a game: quick finishes after dribbling, controlling aerial balls, and shooting under defensive pressure. Practice each drill at maximum intensity for 2-4 minutes and work both feet equally to become a better finisher from anywhere in the final third.
If you have a goalkeeper who is going to make all of these drills more effective, but do what you can with what you have. For example, you can put some cones on the corners and aim for those when you shoot.
Max Intent Dribbling to Shooting Drill
This drill focuses on dribbling with max intent, meaning game-speed, before taking a shot at goal, which will help improve dribbling and shooting skills under the pressure of an opponent.
Individual:
Start from different distances and angles relative to the soccer goal—left, middle, and right—and dribble towards the goal at full speed. As you dribble towards the goal, imagine there are defenders coming your way trying to take the ball away, and your job is to avoid them by performing skill moves and changing speed and direction quickly.
As you get closer to the penalty area, focus on hitting the ball with power and accuracy, aiming for the corners of the goal.
Partner:
If you have a partner for this drill, you can do a 1v1 scenario where one player dribbles toward the goal while the other one defends. Similar to if you do this alone, make sure you go at game speed to get the most from this drill, although you can start off with slight pressure to get started and increase the intensity.
Throw ball in the air + control + shoot
This drill helps improve your first-touch and the ability to get the ball away from your feet and get a good shot off.
Individual:
Begin by tossing the ball into the air, controlling it with your chest, thigh, or foot, then taking a quick shot at the goal. For this drill, you can either use your first touch to set up your touch or take an extra touch if necessary.
With this drill, you can start close to the goal and slowly move back, you can do the opposite, or you can go from left to right or right to left.
Partner:
If you have a partner, one player throws the ball to the other player in the air, who must control it and then shoot. The partner who throws the ball can also add a reaction element by telling the other player where to shoot or where to take their first touch.
Throw the ball in the air + control + dribble to shoot
This drill combines elements from the first two drills and helps players develop a smooth transition from receiving the ball to dribbling to shooting.
Individual:
This drill is very similar to the previous drill, but after controlling the ball, take a few dribbles at max intensity, do a skill move, and then shoot.
Partner:
Your partner throws the ball to you, and after controlling it, dribble around a cone or imaginary defender and then take your shot. The partner that throws the ball can also add a reaction element by telling the other player where to shoot or where to take their first touch, or even act as a defender afterwards.
1, 2 + Shooting
This drill emphasizes quick decision-making and shooting technique. With this drill, play with how far you are from the goal and take a good first touch that sets you up perfectly for your shot.
Individual:
Use a wall or rebounder to pass the ball and have it come back to you. As you receive the ball, take one touch to control the ball and another to take a shot.
You can start from different distances and angles to the goal. Also, focus on accuracy and power, aiming for the corners of the goal.
Partner:
Pass the ball to your partner and then have your partner play a quick pass back to you. Control the ball with one touch and then shoot.
1, 2 Turn + shoot
This drill focuses on turning quickly, with your back towards the goal, and striking with power and accuracy once you have made a successful turn.
Individual:
With your back against the goal, pass the ball against a wall or rebounder in front of you, turn as you receive it, and then shoot. Practice different types of turns, such as the outside-of-foot turn or inside-of-foot turn, to improve your ability to create shooting opportunities.
Partner:
Same as above, start with your back against the goal, have your partner pass the ball to you, and perform a turn before shooting. This drill simulates real-game situations where you need to turn away from a defender before taking your shot, improving both your decision-making and finishing skills.
Cross + Control + Finish
This drill focuses on your ability to receive long balls from the air, the ability to set yourself up properly, and, of course, your shooting and volleying skills.
Individual:
Set up a crossing situation, either by kicking the ball into the air or using a wall. Depending on how the ball is coming, you can either hit it one touch or control the ball as it comes in, then take your shot. Focus on timing and the quality of your first touch to ensure an accurate shot at goal.
Partner:
One player dribbles down the wing and then crosses the ball to the center of the penalty box while the other player controls it and shoots. This drill is perfect for practicing how to finish from different angles as well as from different heights of the ball.
Rapid Fire Drill
This drill simulates high-pressure situations, helping you stay calm and composed in front of the goal.
Individual:
Place multiple balls around the moon of the penalty area, or the outline of the penalty box, and a cone about 5 yards behind the half moon. Start at the cone behind the half moon, run to the first ball—either going left to right or right to left—strike it on goal, then immediately sprint back around the cone before attacking the next ball.
Continue until you’ve taken all the shots. This nonstop rhythm forces you to focus on technique while fatigued, mimicking the pressure of back-to-back chances in a real game.
Partner:
Your partner sets up the balls or passes them to you quickly while you take rapid shots on goal. This variation helps improve your reaction time and shooting accuracy under continuous pressure.
Similar to above, you can start at a cone behind the half moon, your partner stands at the half moon, you play a 1-2 with your partner, and then take a shot towards the goal.
Volleys
This drill sharpens your timing and accuracy of hitting volleys, balls that are coming in the air.
Individual:
Toss the ball into the air and practice striking it before it hits the ground. You can also start juggling and, after a couple of juggles, strike the ball towards the goal before it hits the ground.
Aim for different areas of the goal to improve your ability to score volleys from various angles. You can also let the ball bounce once and hit it immediately after it has hit the ground.
Partner:
Your partner serves the ball to you, either by throwing it or passing it in the air, and it’s your job to attempt a volley shot. Same as above, you can hit it before it hits the ground, you can hit it as it’s coming back up after hitting the ground, or you can even take a touch and then shoot.
This drill is excellent for practicing how to connect with the ball cleanly and score from mid-air deliveries.
Stationary shots
This drill is the foundation for improving your accuracy and shot power from set pieces such as free kicks, penalty kicks, or even corner kicks.
Individual
Set up a ball at different spots around the penalty area and practice your free kicks. Focus on your plant foot positioning and striking the ball with the right part of your shooting foot to bend it around imaginary walls or into the top corners.
You can also put the ball in the penalty spot to work on your penalty kicks.
Partner:
If you have a partner, your partner can act as a goalkeeper or as a wall. Take turns practicing free kicks, focusing on technique, placement, and power. This drill is important for developing consistency in scoring from dead-ball situations, and this is perfect if you’re already your team’s designated set-piece taker.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the art of shooting in soccer is important for any player looking to make an impact on the field. The drills outlined in this guide are designed to refine your technique, boost your confidence, and improve your ability to score under different game-like situations.
Remember, although these drills are helpful, they are more effective when you combine them with regular team practices and real-game scenarios. By consistently using these shooting drills during your extra training, you will develop better precision, power, and composure in the final third of the field
FAQs
What are the different techniques for shooting a soccer ball?
The different techniques for shooting a soccer ball include:
- With laces
- Inside of the foot technique
- Curling shot technique
- Toe poke
- Knuckle shot
- Chip shot
What gear and equipment are needed to improve my soccer skills?
The best thing about soccer is that you don’t need a lot of training gear to start playing and improving. All you really need is a soccer ball, but the more serious you want to play, the more gear you will need, such as soccer cleats, shin guards, grip socks, shorts, shirts, cones, rebounders, ball pumps, soccer bags, etc.
